Swimwear with interchangeable components

ABSTRACT

An interchangeable swimsuit comprising a top having a left cup and a right cup for covering a wearer&#39;s breasts where each of the cups has a plurality of integrated loops disposed on each of the cups, as well as a clip and/or strap for releasably attaching the left cup to the right cup; and a bottom having a generally triangular shaped front panel and a generally triangular shaped back panel with each panel having two hip vertices and a crotch vertex which are interchangeably mated to another, as well as a clip and/or strap for releasably attaching the hip vertices and a hook and loop and/or an additional fastener for releasably attaching the crotch vertex.

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional patent applicationof Frank Scozzafava, Ser. No. 61/348,857 for SWIMWEAR WITHINTERCHANGEABLE COMPONENTS, filed on May 27, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This patent application pertains to swimwear, and more specifically,pertains to women's bikinis. Even more specifically, this patentapplication relates to women's bikinis comprised of interchangeablecomponents which create a finished article.

2. BACKGROUND

For the most part, women's swimwear, and particularly bikinis, comprisesa swimsuit top and swimsuit bottom. Traditional women's one-pieceswimsuits cannot be modified after purchase. Thus, if styles change, awoman must purchase a new swimsuit. Two piece bikinis provide a wearerwith a bit more of an opportunity to personalize as the wearer can mixand match different tops and bottoms. However, the wearer is limited tomerely swapping tops and bottoms and cannot modify the constituentcomponents which make up each individual swimsuit piece. Variousattempts have been made to overcome these limitations.

For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,028,740 presents a convertible beachattire comprising a bikini bottom and a detachable modesty panelremovably attached to the bottom using a connector. When swimming, thewearer can remove the modesty panel and wear the swimsuit as atraditional bikini. When not in the water, the wearer can attach themodesty panel to more completely cover the lower portion of the body.Although described as convertible, the attire described merely providesa attachment device for draping a modesty panel. The materialscomprising the swimsuit are not modified. Additionally, the connectorsare non-removable further limiting the ability to customize theappearance of the suit. Thus, the wearer is unable to alter theappearance of the suit after purchase.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,145 discloses a convertible bathing suitwhich converts from a two-piece bikini to a one-piece suit. The bottomband of the bikini top and the waist band of the bikini bottom areequipped with a number of snaps. A series of different styled panels areequipped with mating snaps such that the panels can be removablyattached to the bikini top and bottom so as to cover the midriff of thewearer. Further provided are modesty panels which drape from the bikinibottom. This design, however, does not provide for the alteration of thebikini top and bottom. The style and appearance of the bikini cannot bemodified after purchase.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,560 provides for a swimsuit bikini with loops forattaching removable fasteners and accessories. The bikini top has aplurality of integrated loops which allow for removable attachment ofstraps or chains. These straps or chains are used to secure the top tothe wearer. Further provided are hook and loop fasteners for removableattachment of additional fabrics such as skirt or gown materials. Whilethis bikini provides for interchangeable designs and accessories, thereare a number of drawbacks with this disclosure. First, the ability tocustomize the design changes is limited by failing to provide for aninterchangeable fastening means. The straps are looped upon themselvesrather than being removably attached with a stylish clip or clasp.Second, while the sides of the bikini bottom can be modified withdifferent straps or chains, the actual front and rear panels of thebikini are static. That is, there is no way to change to physicalappearance of the bikini bottom other than by changing side straps. Thislimits the customizability of the bikini as the number of tops whichaesthetically match to bottoms is restricted.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/728,294 describes a modular swimsuitand a method of construction such a swimsuit. The modular swimsuitconsists of a bikini top and bottom where the top is constructed of twotriangular shaped cups and the bottom is an hour glass shaped piece offabric. The two halves of the bikini top are held together by a strap.Each of the tops and straps has an integral loop. The loops areconnected by use of a spring-loaded clasp. The front and rear portionsof the bottom of the suit are fastened over the wearer's hips using astrap. Similar to the top, the strap is connected to the bottom using aspring-loaded clasp. However, a significant drawback of this design thatalthough the bikini bottom can be modified with different straps orchains, the actual front and rear panels of the bikini cannot be changedor exchanged with alternative panels.

Thus, it is readily apparent that there is a long-felt need for a fullycustomizable swimsuit that permits the wearer to change the physicalappearance of the top and bottom units of the suit.

The present disclosure overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks byprovision of a swimsuit having interchangeable components constructedthrough a three-part system thereby providing for the creation of avariety of swimsuit styles and appearances. The three-piece systemcomprises a swimsuit unit (either a “one-piece” suit or a two-piecebikini), interchangeable clips, and interchangeable straps. The left andright cups of the swimsuit top, as well as the front and back panels ofthe swimsuit bottom are fully interchangeable. The swimsuit unit andinterchangeable straps each possess at least one integrated, sewn-inhoop. The sewn-in hoops removably accept the interchangeable clips tocreate a completed swimsuit unit. Additionally, interchangeableornaments may be applied to the swimsuit unit using the same oradditional interchangeable clips. The swimsuit components may be of avariety of colors and materials, such as fabric, leather or a syntheticmaterial.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the disclosure to provide a swimsuit comprising asuit unit made up of interchangeable top left cups and top right cupsand bottom front panels and bottom back panels with integrated hoops andinterchangeable clips for altering the make-up of the suit unit whilealso permitting the attachment of interchangeable components such asstraps, charms, etc. to the swimsuit.

It is another object of the disclosure to provide a selection ofinterchangeable components such as straps, charms, etc. manufacturedfrom a variety of materials such as, but not limited to, fabric,leather, and synthetics.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a variety ofinterchangeable clips that come in several shapes based on utility andaesthetics.

The objects of the invention are achieved by provision of aninterchangeable swimsuit with a three part clip and loop design, withthe ability to interchange the cups and panels of the suit unit, as wellas to allow for interchanging the straps from the suit unit. Thisinterchangeability is achieved by outfitting the swimsuit cups andpanels with integrated loops to which specially designed clips can thenattach. All straps are made with integrated loops at the ends. The loopsare then attached to the clip by sliding each end through the integralopening in the clip creating a finished product. The crotch region ofthe bottom panels is further provided with a releasable closure whichenables full interchangeability of the front and back panels.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure and the manner in which it may be practiced isfurther illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a bikini style swimsuit of oneembodiment of the present disclosure on a wearer.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a bikini top of one embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3A is an exploded view of the assembled strap, clip, and cups of abikini top of one embodiment of the present disclosure taken generallyfrom boxed region 200 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3B is an exploded view of the disassembled strap, clip, and topcups of a bikini top of one embodiment of the present disclosure takengenerally from boxed region 200 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4A is an exploded view of the assembled clip and top cups of abikini top of one embodiment of the present disclosure taken generallyfrom boxed region 300 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4B is an exploded view of the disassembled clip and top cups of abikini top of one embodiment of the present disclosure taken generallyfrom boxed region 200 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a bikini top of an alternativeembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the untied tie and top cup of a bikini topof a second embodiment of the present disclosure as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7A is a front perspective view of a bikini bottom front panel ofone embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7B is a front perspective view of a bikini bottom back panel of oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8A is an exploded view of the assembled clip and front panel of abikini bottom of one embodiment of the present disclosure takengenerally from boxed region 400 of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8B is an exploded view of the disassembled clip and front panel ofa bikini bottom of one embodiment of the present disclosure takengenerally from boxed region 400 of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 9A is a front perspective view of a bikini bottom front panel of asecond embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9B is a front perspective view of a bikini bottom back panel of asecond embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a general crotch closure of a bikinibottom of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a disassembled crotch closure of a bikinibottom of the present disclosure showing a hook and loop closure.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a disassembled crotch closure of a bikinibottom of the present disclosure showing a hook and loop closure withadditional metal rings and tabs closure.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a disassembled crotch closure of a bikinibottom of the present disclosure showing a hook and loop closure withadditional buttons closure.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a disassembled crotch closure of a bikinibottom of the present disclosure showing a hook and loop closure with anadditional singular metal loop and hook closure.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of a disassembled crotch closure of a bikinibottom of the present disclosure showing a hook and loop closure withadditional snaps closure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

At the outset, it should be clearly understood that like referencenumerals are intended to identify the same structural elements,portions, or surfaces consistently throughout the several drawingfigures, as may be further described or explained by the entire writtenspecification of which this detailed description is an integral part.The drawings are intended to be read together with the specification andare to be construed as a portion of the entire “written description” ofthis invention as required by 35 U.S.C. §112.

Adverting now to the drawings, with reference to FIG. 1, an embodimentof a swimsuit of the present disclosure is indicated generally bynumeral 100. Swimsuit 100 is made up generally of a suit unit comprisedof a swimsuit top 20 and swimsuit bottom 30. Top right and left cups 22and 24, respectively, are attached to one another by a first clip 40 tocreate bikini top 20. Bikini bottom 30 is comprised of front and rearpanels 32 and 34, respectively, and each is attached to one anotherusing a second clip 40 and a third clip (not shown). Each top cup andbottom panel incorporates at least one integrated loop through whichclip 40 is inserted to construct a completed swimsuit 100. Clips 40 canbe made out of any suitable material, including but not limited tometal, plastic, ceramic, glass, etc. Clips 40 are hooplike members thatcan be round, rectangular, roughly D-shaped, or any other shape. Clips40 can have an open profile or a closed profile. For instance, closedprofile clips can use a carabiner-like closing mechanism. Optionally, anopen profile clip can further comprise a spur on the interior surface ofone or both open ends of the clip gap. These spurs prevent the strapsfrom slipping free of the clips while the swimsuit is worn. An optionaldecorative accessory 70 can be attached to any of clips 40 of acompleted swimsuit 100 to further personalize the finished product. Asshown in FIG. 1, bottom panel 32 may further be attached to bikini top20 to form a “one-piece” swimsuit.

A front perspective view of an embodiment of a bikini top of the presentdisclosure is indicated by numeral 210 in FIG. 2. Bikini top 210 iscomprised of two generally triangular shaped cups 212 and 214. In thisembodiment, two of the three vertices of the generally triangular shapeare sewn with integrated loops 50, while the third vertex has elongatedstrap or strip 25. The elongated strap or strip is either of singlepiece construction with its respective cup 212 or 214, or is sewn ontoits respective cup. Strap 25 is used to tie the bikini top around theback of the wearer. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, each cup 212 and214 does not have an integrated strap to tie the swimsuit top behind awearer's neck. Rather, these cups have integrated loop 50 at the topvertex of each cup. Neck straps 26 have integrated loops 28 at one endas shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Neck straps 26 are attached to swimsuit topcups 212 or 214 through clip 40. Swimsuit top cups 212 or 214 each havean integrated loop 50 at the vertex located between the breasts, asshown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Clip 40 is used to removably secure the twocups to one another via integrated loops 50 to form completed bikini top210. Although shown with attached strap 26, an alternative embodiment isenvisioned wherein each top cup 212 and 214 is provided with a thirdintegrated loop. Further provided is a back strap having an integratedloop at one end similar to neck strap 26, with the back strap beingremovably secured to its respective cup with additional clips 40.

FIG. 3A is an exploded view of the assembled strap, clip, and top cup ofa bikini top of one embodiment of the present disclosure taken generallyfrom boxed region 200 of FIG. 2, while FIG. 3B is an exploded view ofthe disassembled strap, clip, and top cup of a bikini top. Duringassembly, integrated loop 50 of top cup 214 is inserted within a gap inclip 40 and clip 40 is rotated so that top cup 214 will not becomedislodged from clip 40. Similarly, integrated loop 28 of neck strap 26is inserted within a gap in clip 40 and positioned so that neck strap 26will not become dislodged from clip 40. In a preferred embodiment, clip40 has an open profile having a clip gap. The open profile clip furtherhas a spur on the interior surface of one or both open ends of the clipgap. The spurs aid in preventing unwanted disassembly when the swimsuitis being worn.

FIG. 4A is an exploded view of the assembled clip and top cups of abikini top of one embodiment of the present disclosure taken generallyfrom boxed region 300 of FIG. 2 while FIG. 4B is an exploded view of thedisassembled clip and top cups of the bikini top. During assembly,integrated loop 50 of each of top cups 212 and 214 is inserted within agap in clip 40 with clip 40 positioned so that top cups 212 and 214 willnot become dislodged from clip 40 during wear.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a bikini top of an alternativeembodiment of the present disclosure as indicated by numeral 220. Bikinitop 220 is comprised of two generally triangular shaped cups 222 and224. In this embodiment, two of the three vertices of the generallytriangular shape are sewn with integrated loops 50 (as shown in FIG. 6),while the third vertex has elongated strap or strip 225. The elongatedstrap or strip is either of single piece construction with itsrespective cup 222 or 224, or is sewn onto its respective cup. Strap 225is used to tie the bikini top around the back of the wearer. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 5, each cup 222 and 224 does not have anintegrated strap to tie the swimsuit top behind a wearer's neck. Rather,each cup has integrated loop 50 at its top vertex. Neck straps 26 haveintegrated loops and are removably attached to swimsuit top cups 222 or224 through clip 40. Swimsuit top cups 222 or 224 each have anintegrated loop 50 at the vertex located between the breasts, as shownin FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the untied tie and top cup 224of a bikini top of the second embodiment of the present disclosure asshown in FIG. 5. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, cups 222and 224 are secured to one another between the breasts by tie 240.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are front perspective views of a bikini bottom frontpanel and back panel, respectively, of one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Each panel is a generally triangular shape piece of fabrichaving a right hip vertex, a left hip vertex and a crotch vertex. FIGS.7A and 7B illustrate one possible arrangement for securing the hipportions of the bottom panels. In this embodiment, each of the hipvertices has integrated loop 50 for removably securing clip 40. AlthoughFIGS. 7A and 7B are shown as a brief, it is further envisioned thatalternative bottom panels can be used including but not limited to athong, French bikini, Tanga, scoop, mid scoop, string bikini, low rise,high waist, hipster, and the like.

FIG. 8A is an exploded view of the assembled clip and bottom panels of abikini bottom of one embodiment of the present disclosure takengenerally from boxed region 400 of FIG. 7A while FIG. 8B is an explodedview of the disassembled clip and bottom panels of the bikini bottom.During assembly, integrated loop 50 of each of bottom panels 32 (and 34)is inserted within a gap in clip 40 with clip 40 positioned so thatbottom panels 32 and 34 will not become dislodged from clip 40 duringwear. It is further envisioned that interchangeable side pieces can beused to attach bottom front panel 32 to bottom back panel 34 of a bikiniin certain embodiments of the present disclosure. The side pieces can becomposed of chains, straps of varying width and/or thickness, or braidedstraps, and the like.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are front perspective views of a bikini bottom of analternative embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, anelongated strap 340 passes through integrated loops 50 located at eachof the right and left hip areas of bottom front panel 32 to bottom backpanel 34. The elongated strap is then tied to secure the bikini bottomat the wearer's hips.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a general crotch closure of a bikinibottom of the present disclosure. The crotch vertex of bikini bottomfront panel 32 and bottom back panel 34 overlap one another to formclosure region 60. Closure region 60 is equipped with a closing meanssuch that the two halves of the bikini bottom are secured in the crotcharea, and along with the hip attaching means shown in FIGS. 7A through9B, form a completed bikini bottom 30 as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a bikini bottom of thepresent disclosure showing disassembled crotch closure region 60 havinga hook and loop closing means 69. One half of hook and loop closingmeans 69 is affixed, preferably through stitching, to the inner surfaceof bottom front panel 32 while the second half of hook and loop closingmeans 69 is affixed to the outer surface of bottom back panel 34. Tosecure the crotch closure, the two halves of the hook and loop closingmeans are pressed together so that the bottom front panel 32 is on topof bottom back panel 34.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of a bikini bottom ofthe present disclosure showing disassembled crotch closure region 60having a hook and loop closing means 69 with additional metal rings 61and tabs 62 closing means. In a preferred embodiment, three metal tabs62 are releasably inserted into rings 61 to secure crotch closure region60. Hook and loop closing means 69 provides additional security andassists in preventing tabs 62 from dislodging from rings 61. Althoughdescribed as having three tabs and rings, it is envisioned that anynumber of tabs and rings can be used, depending on the width of thecrotch region as well as user comfort.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of an additional embodiment of a bikinibottom of the present disclosure showing disassembled crotch closureregion 60 having a hook and loop closing means 69 with additional buttonclosing means. In this embodiment, three buttons 63 are releasablyinserted into holes 64 to secure crotch closure region 60. Hook and loopclosing means 69 provides additional security and assists in preventingbuttons 63 from dislodging from holes 64. Although described as havingthree buttons, it is envisioned that any number of buttons can be used,depending on the width of the crotch region as well as user comfort

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a further embodiment of a bikini bottomof the present disclosure showing disassembled crotch closure region 60having a hook and loop closing means 69 with additional metal clip 65and catch 66 closing means. In a preferred embodiment, clip 65 isreleasably affixed onto catch 66 to secure crotch closure region 60.Hook and loop closing means 69 provides additional security and assistsin preventing clip 65 from dislodging from catch 66.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of another embodiment of a bikini bottom ofthe present disclosure showing disassembled crotch closure region 60having a hook and loop closing means 69 with additional snap closingmeans. In a preferred embodiment, three male snaps 68 are releasablyinserted into corresponding female snaps 67 to secure crotch closureregion 60. Hook and loop closing means 69 provides additional securityand assists in preventing male snaps 68 from dislodging from femalesnaps 67. Although described as having three snaps, it is envisionedthat any number of snaps can be used, depending on the width of thecrotch region as well as user comfort.

Although the invention has been described with reference to certainpreferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in theart that modifications and variations may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. It should be understood thatapplicant does not intend to be limited to the particular detailsdescribed above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

1. An interchangeable swimsuit comprising: a top having a left cup thatinterchangeably mates with a right cup for covering a wearer's breastswherein at least one integrated loop is positioned and disposed on eachof said cups for engaging a means for releasably attaching said left cupto said right cup and a means for supporting said top on said wearer; abottom having a generally triangular shaped front panel interchangeablymated with a generally triangular shaped back panel wherein each panelhas a right hip vertex, a left hip vertex and a crotch vertex; and ameans for releasably attaching said back panel to said front panel. 2.The swimsuit of claim 1 wherein said at least one integrated loop is oneintegrated loop disposed one each cup between said wearer's breasts andsaid means for releasably attaching said left cup to said right cup is ahoop-like clip inserted into both of said at least one integrated loops,and said means for supporting said top is at least one flexible elongatemember fixedly attached to each of said cups.
 3. The swimsuit of claimwherein said at least one integrated loops is two integrated loopsdisposed one each cup with a first integrated loop being disposedbetween said wearer's breasts for releasably attaching said left cup tosaid right cup, and with a second integrated loop disposed on each ofsaid cups for releasably attaching at least one flexible elongate memberfor supporting said top on said wearer.
 4. The swimsuit of claim whereinsaid at least one integrated loops is three integrated loops disposedone each cup with a first integrated loop being disposed between saidwearer's breasts for releasably attaching said left cup to said rightcup, with a second integrated loop disposed on each of said cups forreleasably attaching at least one neck flexible elongate member forsupporting said top on said wearer, and with a third integrated loopdisposed on each of said cups for releasably attaching at least one backflexible elongate member for supporting said top on said wearer.
 5. Theswimsuit of claim 1 wherein said at least one integrated loop isdisposed between said wearer's breasts and said means for releasablyattaching said left cup to said right cup is a hoop-like clip insertedinto each of said at least one integrated loops, and at least oneflexible elongate member is removably affixed to each hoop-like clip. 6.The swimsuit of claim 1 wherein said at least one integrated loop isdisposed between said wearer's breasts and said means for releasablyattaching said left cup to said right cup is a flexible elongate memberinserted into both of said at least one integrated loops.
 7. Theswimsuit of claim 1 wherein each of said hip vertices has in integratedloop.
 8. The swimsuit of claim 1 wherein said means for releasablyattaching said back panel to said front panel of said bottom is ahoop-like clip removably inserted into respective right side and leftside integrated loops disposed at each of said hip vertices.
 9. Theswimsuit of claim 1 wherein said means for releasably attaching saidback panel to said front panel of said bottom is a second plurality ofhoop-like clips inserted into each of said integrated loops disposed ateach of said hip vertices.
 10. The swimsuit of claim 9 wherein at leastone flexible elongate member is removably affixed between hoop-likeclips which are removably affixed on respective right side and left sideintegrated loops disposed at each of said hip vertices.
 11. The swimsuitof claim 1 wherein said means for releasably attaching said back panelto said front panel at said crotch vertex is a hook and loop closure.12. The swimsuit of claim 11 wherein said means for releasably attachingsaid back panel to said front panel at said crotch vertex furthercomprises at least one ring and at least one tab.
 13. The swimsuit ofclaim 12 wherein at least one ring is three rings and at least one tabis three tabs.
 14. The swimsuit of claim 11 wherein said means forreleasably attaching said back panel to said front panel at said crotchvertex further comprises at least one male snap and at least one femalesnap.
 15. The swimsuit of claim 14 wherein at least one ring male snapis three male snaps and at least one female snap is three female snaps.16. The swimsuit of claim 11 wherein said means for releasably attachingsaid back panel to said front panel at said crotch vertex furthercomprises at least one button and at least one button hole.
 17. Theswimsuit of claim 16 wherein at least one button is three buttons and atleast one button hole is three button holes.
 18. The swimsuit of claim 1wherein said means for releasably attaching said back panel to saidfront panel at said crotch vertex comprises at least one ring and atleast one tab.
 19. The swimsuit of claim 1 wherein said means forreleasably attaching said back panel to said front panel at said crotchvertex comprises at least one male snap and at least one female snap.20. The swimsuit of claim 1 wherein said means for releasably attachingsaid back panel to said front panel at said crotch vertex comprises atleast one button and at least one button hole.